I was volunteering at my child's school for book fair and found a box of "The Golden Compass" books that were not out for the kids. I started to put them out and the Librarian stopped me. She stated the whole deal about it being written by an Atheist and that if they weren't out, the kids wouldn't know about it. I was appauled!! It wasn't even the novel, just short picture story books of the movie! What would you think if this happened at your child's school?
2007-12-10 06:49:10 · 41 answers · asked by Elphaba 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Forgive my spelling. There is no dictionary in our library due to the fact it has the word "atheist" in it!:)
2007-12-10 08:32:56 · update #1
I think I would have a nice arguement with her. That's complete crap. She doesnt have the right to push her religious beliefs.
Censorship, regardless of why and ESPECIALLY when religously motivated is akin to Hitler. He did the same thing. We called is appaling when he did it, yet there are those willing to do it here. So sad.
2007-12-10 06:55:11 · answer #1 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 8⤊ 4⤋
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is, I hear, the Golden Rule found in a Religious book.? And, its an Excellent Rule to live by...undoubtedly!!! ~~~ Actually, very doubtedly! That is a mistranslation, and poor enough to make it meaningless! What if I enjoyed pain? That says that I can inflict it on others! The original translation is; "Do not do to others what you don't want done to you!" Think about it, there is a world of difference between the two! But, does the Good Book tell us how to get over our disappointment if 'others' choose to disobey or ignore it?!? ~~~ What "good book"? The Xtian Book of the Dead? Us? (Multiple personality disorder?) If you are disappointed that others do not return your 'kindnesses', then you are doing them for the 'wrong' reasons, being dishonest and proud/vain/sinful. Also true if you expect others to behave or think the way that you, with your problem with judgement/pride/sin, think that they should! What right have you to 'expect' anything, o vain sinful human? There's your answer, difficult as it is to chew; get over yourself, and you won't have to concern yourself with (and be disappointed in) 'others'! That! is what religion, whichever, attempts to facilitate. Your problem is NOT with others, leave them alone! When your 'light' is shining brightly, others will come to you to find out why!
2016-04-08 06:17:31 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would be exceptionallly angry and would definitely go to the principal on that one. If those books were not put out I would complain to the schoolboard about it. There is no reason for the censorship of this book. If the librarian doesn't like it, she doesn't have to read it. No biggie. If the parents don't like the book, I'm sure they could mention that fact to their children.
As for the writer who stated the Bible is banned in schools, I have seen the Bible in schools. Of course I am in Canada so maybe that has something to do with it. I have also seen the Koran and the Torah (written into book form in English) in the schools as well as books on other religions. They are used as reference books in the library and if a child choses to bring one from home for free reading, no one is taking it away from them. At least not here.
The problem is when one religion tends to override every other religion and make themselves the "special", the "best", and the "only right" religion.
To take a book, written by an Atheist off the shelves (or in this case not putting it on), shows that the librarian is one of those who has decided that her religion is the special, best and only right one and that everyone should be agreeing with her.
2007-12-10 06:58:11 · answer #3 · answered by sinnyloo 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
She has no right to censor what people can/cannot read. Censorship goes against our freedom of speech in this country. She is taking the government into her own hands. Her personal opinions on the book, the movie, or the author aren't supposed to affect how she does (or in her case, doesn't) do her job. If I were you, I'd tell her supervisor that she's refusing to shelve the books.
2007-12-10 10:54:58 · answer #4 · answered by Bookworm 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd report her. The book is a work of fiction. If she is afraid to have fiction work in the library then they may as well not have libraries. How ridiculous.
Oh and Jed, are saying the bible is a work of fiction? I mean they bible isn't in there because it is a religious book. I personally wouldn't care if it were in there but they had better make room of the shelves for ALL religious books.
2007-12-10 09:03:02 · answer #5 · answered by Janet L 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would protest. It's really stupid. And, it's not like when they took "under God" out of the pledge. The students were forced to say that, they aren't being forced to read that book. And, a lot of students probably still say "under God" in the pledge. But, taking those books off the shelves doesn't even give the kids the possibility of belief of that. Plus, I saw the movie on Saturday, and it wasn't bad at all. If my mother hadn't told me that it was made my an Atheist, I wouldn't have even guessed as such. So, if the books were just picture story books of the movie, there shouldn't be anything wrong with it.
2007-12-10 07:01:33 · answer #6 · answered by SPAH 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
I would be applaud if it was a public library or a library for the masses. A school library has more leeway, in my opinion. I think her reasoning's are wrong...I just don't think what she did was inherently wrong (not putting some books on the shelf) There are lots of other reasons not to put those books on the shelf (In a school library) other than the one you supplied.
2007-12-10 12:08:02 · answer #7 · answered by LDS~Tenshi~ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I too would be appalled at this blatant censorship. I would go to board of education and report it. If nothing happened from that I would go to the local newspaper. They love good controversial issues like this.
Censorship tramples on basic human rights in my opinion. I do not take it lightly. At all.
2007-12-10 07:23:20 · answer #8 · answered by No Chance Without Yo Mama 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The lady has no faith in her own beliefs. She's afraid that people would be atheists because of a book. Ideas that cannot be truly comprehended at such an early stage in the lives of kids. It's only the adults who point this out and make them want to find out the idea of the supposed atheism depicted in the book. She's also denying free speech. Since this is a public domain, this should be brought up with the school board.
2007-12-10 06:54:56 · answer #9 · answered by lenfantdezappa 3 · 9⤊ 3⤋
That is strange. I would be worried about having someone like that working at a school library. I would be very enraged actually.
First of all, it is not her place to take it upon herself to censor. Who knows what great books kids may be missing out on because she may be hoarding them behind her desk! I also feel that someone who feels so morally just & to take that extreme over something like a picture book has got some strange issues. Hmm... I would probably just let my kids know about this creepy librarian.
2007-12-10 07:04:48 · answer #10 · answered by Biene mit Milsh 2 · 4⤊ 3⤋
A number of Wisconsin Schools has already pulled the books from their itenerary... sad how one piece of literature written outside the box can threaten an established institution... having seen the movie- I can see what they're afraid of. The movie does well to point this mentality out (its about the only thing the movie does well).
2007-12-10 07:07:28 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋